As the annual festival of Diwali approaches, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere wishes to our friends:
May the occassion bring great happiness, good health, fortune and prosperity for you and all in your family. Wish you a Happy Diwali！
Diwali Festival is an important Hindu festival. In anticipation of Diwali, every household in India lights candles or oil lamps as they symbolize brightness, prosperity and happiness.
Fireworks and festive lights illuminate the dark night on the last day of the old Hindu calendar year (which corresponds to a day around the October of the Gregorian calendar) as the world's estimated 1 billion Hindu faithful celebrate Diwali, a festival of lights. It is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, and it is even a national holiday in India, Fiji, Nepal and Trinidad.
The reasons for celebrating Diwali vary from place to place. In northern India it was to celebrate the return of warriors led by the Hindu god Rama from Sri Lanka; In the south, it commemorates the killing of Naracasula by Lord Krishna. While the origins of Diwali vary widely, most agree that the five-day festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.
Diwali is a Hindu festival, but it is also a big day for Jains and Sikhs, and is regarded by Indians as the most important festival of the year, like Christmas and New Year.
Because Diwali is one of Hinduism's most loving and joyous celebrations, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness, even the border in Punjab province in northern India, near the country's feud with Pakistan, is filled with love, with border guards on both sides rarely disarming to shake hands, hug and exchange sweets. But the big show of Diwali is at night. In India and Pakistan, and even in Dubai, there are long lines at Hindu temples, men and women lighting lamps, exchanging gifts, setting off fireworks, and the atmosphere is lively. Even if you are not a Hindu, you will participate in this event with open hearts.
As this festival is also regarded as the festival of the goddess of wealth, Shilashmi, every household will clean up, light candles and oil lamps, and wait for the goddess to arrive.
The Bengalis of East India and the Gujaratis of West India worship Rahimi, the goddess of prosperity and affluence.
During Diwali, all offices in India are closed, but the stock market is open for a special hour one day as a tribute to Rahimi.
Hindus are in the habit of giving gifts on Diwali. A copper-plated candlestick carrying a candle with a metal skin was a popular gift. The most popular, of course, is the Hindu god Ganesh. Candy plays an important role in Diwali. During the festival, friends and relatives will give each other colorful coconut candy called "Buffy" to express their blessings to each other.
During Diwali, most Indian families wear new clothes and jewelry, visit family members and work colleagues, and give sweets, dried fruits and gifts.